White House actions have ‘serious impact on global health:’ WHO
The United States’ decision to pause foreign aid contributions is having a detrimental impact on global health initiatives, according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. In a virtual news conference from Geneva, Tedros emphasized the urgent need for the U.S. to reconsider resuming aid funding to support programs combating diseases such as polio, HIV, and other health threats.
The suspension of funding for key programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has resulted in a halt to HIV treatment, testing, and prevention services in 50 countries. Despite some services being allowed to resume, preventive efforts for at-risk groups have been neglected, leading to the closure of clinics and the displacement of health workers. The WHO is working to address shortages of anti-retroviral drugs in affected regions.
Furthermore, the funding pause has impeded efforts to eradicate polio and respond to other health crises like mpox. In Myanmar alone, nearly 60,000 individuals have been left without access to life-saving services. Tedros appealed to the U.S. government to continue funding these critical programs until sustainable solutions can be implemented.
In addition to the aid freeze, President Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO has disrupted collaboration on global health initiatives, particularly in disease outbreak response and influenza monitoring. For instance, limited information is available on the spread of avian influenza among dairy cattle in the U.S., highlighting the importance of international cooperation in disease surveillance.
Despite these challenges, WHO officials remain committed to engaging with U.S. agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to facilitate information exchange and strengthen global health efforts. Tedros also addressed the funding gap for WHO itself, suggesting alternative financing models such as raising an endowment of $50 billion or exploring fee-based services for institutions able to pay.
In a separate development, Canada and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, recently delivered 200,000 doses of donated mpox vaccine to Congo, underscoring the ongoing commitment to global health security. As the world continues to grapple with health challenges, collaboration and financial support are essential to safeguarding public health and advancing disease prevention efforts.
